Recommend me a few books...

Question

...that are ideal for improving spoken English. I'm aware reading in combination with speaking is the best bet. The problem is I have severe social anxiety and am nearly isolated from outside world. Ironically my internet addiction is the only thing that keeps my English from getting even worse. So I desperately need books that meets the following requirements:
1. Relatively easy to read
2. Full of humors and informal expressions, specifically those whose formal counterparts are awkward to use in conversations

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I don't know if you are a boy ora girl, but if you are a girl I think the books by Spohie Kinsella will be perfect! Besides, right now I'm reading a book called "good nigt mister Tow" which is really nice too.
Bye

Lucille · Answer

Hello!

Well, I've got one book that I think maybe it can help you to improve your english. It is called: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time " written by Mark Haddon.

It's a mistery novel where a boy who suffers of autism tries to solve a murder. The vocabulary is easy, maybe very easy because it is written by the perspective of the autist boy, so he speaks clearly and with lists and short chapters. However, in my personal opinion, there is lot of new vocabulary to work with, and you can find expressions used now-a-days.

I wish I had helped you.

PS. Meanwhile, if you chose this book or another, it would be grateful if you can say me the title of the book you had chosen, because I'm interested in reading too and if you can tell me about another one, I would like it. Thanks!

Japes · Answer

Hello styler1,

I would be interested to know which country you come from or are living in. I'm a little concerned that you suffer from 'social anxiety' as you put it but depending where you live you might even be able to meet up with people who suffer in a similar way just by searching on the internet to begin with. Anyway for now I will just correct parts of your statement if you don't mind so that it reads better English :

"...that are ideal for improving spoken English. I'm aware reading in combination with speaking is the best bet. The problem is I suffer from severe social anxiety and am very much isolated from the outside world. Ironically my internet addiction is the only thing that keeps my English from getting even worse. So I desperately need books that meetthe following requirements:

1. Relatively easy to read

2. Full of humorand informal expressions, specifically those whose formal counterparts are awkward to use in conversations "

The only book I can think of for you to read, assuming you understand the somewhat unique female jargon in it, is Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding.

*** Bless,

Japes

Pav · Answer

Hi,

I`m not sure how good your English is (your spelling is much better compare to spelling of some native speakers I know) but the first English written books I read were translations by non-native writers as I found these a lot easier to read and understand (e.g. P. Coelho, M. Kundera)

When my English got little better I started with native writers (P. Auster, J. Irving, I. McEwan) and I was really surprised how much I was able to understand.

Well, if your English is not an issue, then I would recommend the following:

Tom Robbins - Jitterbug perfume, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Villa Incognito..

IMO, this guy is a beast! He uses funky comparisons and each of his book is a great trip. Unfortunatelly, his English is sometimes too advanced for me so I usually follow the original version with the one written in my native language.

If you are looking for informal expressions, I think Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland would do the job. As the name predicts, it is a book about pop culture, postmodernism in everyday life so there is lots of interesting expressions + the explanations are provided as well.

IMO, a great source of informal expression are books about a specific subculture. I usually just pick a favorite thing (activity, era etc.) and then google it in a context with books (e.g. novels about surfing, Top 10 books about hippies etc.).

Hope this helps,

Pav

Patricia Lee · Answer

Hi Pav
I really appreciate your help and your time for writing all these instructions for me. I'll put them into practice immediately. [O]

Styler1 · Answer

Thanks everyone. I'll look into them. And thanks Japes for the correction.

Recommend me a few books...

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